Consultant: Literature Review and Update on Conservation, Conflict, and Peace Nexus, with a Political Ecology Focus

Dec 23, 2021 | Conservation International

Conservation International (CI) has nearly a decade of experience directly engaging on the intersection of conservation, peace and conflict. Activities have included workshops for CI staff and partners on conflict analysis, small grants for pilot programs incorporating conflict analysis and sensitivity into field programming, engagement with Peace Ambassadors, and beyond. In parallel and many times in partnership, other initiatives at CI such as the development of a safeguards framework have also incorporated principles, approaches, and insights related to conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding.

CI and PeaceNexus Foundation entered a partnership in 2019 in order to spark broader awareness of and engagement in conflict sensitivity at CI, resulting in several of the efforts described above. At this phase, CI’s Center for Communities and Conservation (CCC) is interested in exploring different perspectives on the conservation, peace and conflict nexus in order to better understand existing evidence and trends in the conflict sensitivity and conservation arena, enrich the work done under this partnership and inform future priorities and efforts.

Conservation International’s Center for Communities and Conservation (CCC) is searching for a consultant to conduct a literature review on the nexus of conservation, conflict and peace, with a political ecology focus. Please note we estimate this consultancy will involve approximately 10-15 days of work over the period described in the ToR, with a max. budget of US$4950.

The purpose of this project is to update and expand the background section of a 2013 report titled “Conservation International Situation Analysis on Environmental Peacebuilding” with a focus on social science literature and conservation, especially from the last 20 years. The objective of this project is to compile social science (and other) insights about conservation, conflict, and peacebuilding to generate potential ideas future engagement with staff, potential funders, and other partners. The project entails desk-based internet research and the compilation of a literature review and bibliography.

For Annex I: “Summary: Conservation International Situation Analysis on Environmental Peacebuilding”, please email nmoraga-lewy@conservation.org.

1. Project Description

• The purpose of this project is to update and expand the background section of a 2013 report titled “Conservation International Situation Analysis on Environmental Peacebuilding” with a focus on social science literature and conservation, especially from the last 20 years.
• The objective of this project is to compile social science (and other) insights about conservation, conflict, and peacebuilding to generate potential ideas future engagement with staff, potential funders, and other partners.
• The project entails desk-based internet research and the compilation of a literature review and bibliography.
• The primary audience of the literature review is CI’s CCC staff and colleagues., we expect the review will focus on trends, themes, and key insights, and may serve as a useful starting point for discussions with field staff and partners globally. The consultant may potentially include broad recommendations, but it is not required.
• The maximum total budget for this consultancy is US$4950.

2. Objectives, Deliverables & Key Tasks

• Suggested scope:
  • The expected focus of this project is on social science or political ecology perspectives on environmental peacebuilding and environmental conflict, with a particular interest in relation to conservation.
    • NOTE: Conflict may include intrapersonal, social, violent, civil, and other types of conflict relevant to social studies.
    • To start, the review should focus on literature published in academic journals or edited volumes from the last 20-25 years. CI would also value insights from local and regional organizations (including Indigenous organizations) where possible – particularly for understanding alternate framings or critiques of peacebuilding in relation to environment and natural resources – where relevant.
    • Geographically, there is no limit (CI engages in conservation work globally, and values insights from contexts outside the specific areas it works).
    • Suggested keywords can be discussed with Ci’s CCC staff.
  • Deliverables:
    • Annotated bibliography (or equivalent indicator of progress) with at least 25 sources. Delivery date estimate: End of January or early February, 2022.
    • Literature review (approximately 15-20 pages) with bibliography – draft for discussion. Delivery date: Mid- or late February, depending on start date.
    • Literature review with bibliography – final submission. Delivery date: 15 March, 2022 (unless negotiated otherwise).
  • CI will provide background information about the organization’s history working on conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding in conservation (see Annexes) and substantive contributions from staff (primarily from the Manager, Conflict Resolution and Peace) if needed. The consultant may be based anywhere but is expected to be able to schedule calls with Arlington, VA-based CI staff if/when needed.

3. Estimated Timeline

• The consultant is expected to work a total of 10-15 days on this project.
• Anticipated timeframe/duration: 1-1.5 months
• End date: 15 March, 2022 (unless negotiated otherwise)        
• The consultant will receive 25% of the expected contract value upon agreement and the rest upon completion unless otherwise negotiated.            

4. Location of Task/Applicable Trips

• This work will be conducted and completed remotely; the consulted selected may be based anywhere. Occasional meetings via Microsoft Teams may be organized, primarily with CI staff in the US Eastern time zone.

5. Required Skills and Experience

• Relevant experience. Formal coursework is not a requirement, but previous experience conducting rigorous research on the following topics is preferred: social science dimensions of conservation or development, political ecology, environmental peacebuilding, conflict sensitivity, etc.
• Knowledge. The consultant should understand the field/community of political ecology and what relevant disciplines can offer to a conservation organization engaged in thinking about peace and conflict. The consultant should also have at minimum a basic understanding of the field of international conservation.
• Language. English (professional proficiency). We expect a significant volume of the literature that will be reviewed will be published in English, and the deliverables must be in English. Additional language skills that can broaden the scope of sources incorporated into the project a plus, but not required.
• Equipment. The consultant is expected to have access to necessary equipment (i.e., laptop, internet connection) to carry out this project.

6. How to Apply

Interested candidates should send an email with “[LastName] - Candidate - Consultant”  to nmoraga-lewy@conservation.org containing the following:

• CV
• Budget (daily budget preferred; hourly accepted)
• BRIEF statement of qualification/interest
• Preferred: Writing sample (English)

The CCC will review proposals through January 10, 2022. Reviewers will aim to notify candidates of proposal status by January 14, 2022.